Shiretown Beer is succeeding despite other economic troubles in the area. (CBC)

Two entrepreneurs in Dalhousie, New Brunswick say they’re beating the odds with their move into the craft beer business.

The area has taken some economic hits in recent years – the paper mill closed five years ago, and NB Power has announced it will shut down its generating station there as well.

But the local craft brewery – Shiretown Beer – is thriving.

“Beer is portable,” said co-owner Tim Donahue. “ You can make it anywhere. Doesn’t matter where we are. We could always fill up the back of the truck and take it somewhere where people are going to drink beer.”

Shiretown Beer also has competition. Many residents around Dalhousie and Campbellton cross the bridge to Quebec where beer is cheaper.

But Donahue’s partner, Derek Leslie, said commercial beers and craft beers have different markets and consumers. Their products are now on tap in Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton.

Lloyd Chambers, the organizer of the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival, said their success is great for the industry.

“They’d be a picture of what we’re trying to attract to the event,” he said.

The company's next move is to start bottling its blonde beer for sale in the coming weeks in some liquor stores.